Today marks 100 years since the guns fell silent in World War 1. As we spend the day remembering the millions who died, I wanted to honor my ancestors who fought in WW1. All but one of them survived the war.
Arthur Edward Price (Great-Great-Great Uncle)
Arthur Edward Price was born in early 1880 to Thomas and Mary Ann Price, and was brother to my Great-Great-Grandfather George Frederick.
He was wounded in the right arm and thigh on 29th May 1917 in France. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Sydney Howard Stares (Great-Great-Great Uncle)
Sydney Howard Stares was born on 15th September 1884 to John and Maria Stares and was brother to my Great-Great-Grandmother May. He was baptized 17 July 1887 at Christ Church Hornsey.
He joined the Royal Navy on 6th May 1901 and served on several different ships in his almost 20 year career. He served on the HMS Southampton from 13 March 1914 to 16 July 1915, and would have most likely participated in the Battles of Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank.
Sydney survived the war and died 13th April 1948 in Battersea, London.
Private Alfred John Thrussell (Great-Great-Great Uncle)
Alfred John Thrussell was born on 18th June 1872 to George and Sarah Thrussell and was brother to my Great-Great-Grandmother Sarah Jane. He was baptized on 29th December 1872 in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Alfred first enlisted in the Army in 16 October 1889 and served in several Regiments including the 97th Foot Soldiers and Royal West Kent Regiment. He served for 12.5 years.
Alfred married Harriet Elizabeth Ann Bryant on 1st Nov 1904 at Christ Church Deptford. They quickly had three children – William (1904),Arthur (1907) and Winifred May (1910).
When World War 1 broke out, he reenlisted into the Army aged 41 years old. As seen below in his Army Pension, he remained in the Army Reserve from August 1914 until his demobilization in March 1919. Although it is unknown exactly where he served during the War, he would have seen fighting during that time.
8
Alfred died on 18th June 1951 aged 78 years old in Watford.
Private Alfred John Bolton (Great-Great-Great Uncle)
Alfred John Bolton was born on 27th May 1881 to James and Louisa Bolton, and was the brother of my Great-Great Grandmother Mary Louisa. He was baptized on 7 August 1881 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Islington.
He joined the British Army and was sent to the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment (Regimental No. L/10769). He was 34 years old when he killed in action on 25 September 1915 in France & Flanders. This was the first day in the bloody Battle of Loos. He is buried at the Loos Memorial in Loos-en-Gohelle, France.
After his death, he was awarded the trio of British WW1 medals – The 1914-1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Frederick Bolton (Great-Great-Great Uncle)
Frederick Bolton was born 1 March 1888 to James and Louisa Bolton, and was the younger brother to the aforementioned Alfred John Bolton. He was baptized on 28 Oct 1888 at Hackney St John.
In 1904, he joined the Army attached to the York and Lancaster Regiment. As seen his Military History Sheet, he served several times in France and the Mediterranean during the war.
Unlike his brother, Frederick survived the war and went on to marry and have children. He died in Winter 1943 in Hackney, London.
Private Benjamin Donoghue (Great-Great-Great Uncle)
Benjamin Donoghue was born in Spring 1877 to John Donoghue and Sarah Harriet Marsden, and was the brother of my Great-Great-Grandfather Frederick Donoghue. He married Bridget Linehan in 1909 in Woolwich, London.
Although details are not available of when and where he served, he did receive the Victory and British War Medal whilst serving as a Private with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He survived the war, but additional details of his life are unknown.
George Henry Williams (Great-Grandfather)
George Henry Williams was born on 7 September 1898 to Albert Henry and Emily Williams in Clapham, London. He was baptized on 14 Nov 1902 at Clapham Holy Trinity.
He enlisted in the Army on 2nd February 1914 aged 18. He served through the entirety of the war, although exact locations are not known.
After the war, George married and had three children. He died on 12 April 1965 in Merton.
